I don't see the Islanders emerging from the horrible spot that the timing of this game brings.

The Islanders are practically playing without rest having been in action Friday night and with this being a day game. It's also a three-in-four-days scenario for the Islanders, who have lost the past five times in that situation.

Worse than the situation, though, for the Islanders is losing team captain and best player, John Taveres. He suffered a lower-body injury Friday and is out. Taveres not only is a great player, but the heart of hte team.

Buffalo has won three of its last four home games, all by multiple goals. The Sabres' lone home loss during this span came to the defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins.

The Sabres have been idle since Tuesday so they should they have extremely fresh legs. They also get back star defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen from a three-game suspension.

The Sabres have scored 70 percent of their power play goals in their last five games. The Islanders, who rank 27th in power play, are just 3-for-33 on the power play in their last 10 games.